Use of mesenchymal stem cells in the combination therapy of ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Aim: To compare results of treatment in patients with moderate and severe ulcerative colitis (UC), receiving standart antiinflammatory therapy (second group) and its combination with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) (first group). Results: Complex therapy of UC acute flare-up, including MSC did not influence on reccurence frequency, remission duration and mean value of clinical and endoscopic activity indices during 1 year of follow-up: in 1 group UC flare-up occurred in 2 (16.7%) patients, in 2 group - in 3 patients (30%). RR was 0.3 (95% CI 0.08-1.36; p=0.2; χ2 =1.47). After 2 years of follow-up risk of UC exacerbation in 1 group was 3 times lower than in the 2 group (p=0.03). Mean duration of remission in the 1 group was 22 months, in the 2 group - 17 months (p=0.049). After 3 years of follow-up remission duration in the 1 and 2 groups were 22 and 22 months, respectively (p=0.66). Activity Index according to Rachmilevich in the 1 group was 4.75±1.13 points, in the 2-8.1±1.1 points (p=0.001). Conclusion: MSC application increases efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatment in patients with acute exacerbation of UC.